Newsletters Futures 2017

In the category « Long keeping», we gather all the wines of the vintage 2017 that will have, according to us, an ageing potential of at least 20 years (even if they will reach their peak before). This category is thus intended for the (very) patient ones with a great cellar, or for those who will have something to celebrate in 20 years (or more).

The ability to age well is the preserve of the finest wines, but more affordable wines can also have a great ageing potential due to their excellent vineyards, the grapes varieties used or to the winemaker’s will. The ageing varies as well depending on the temperature of the cellar (the colder the cellar is, the slower the wine will age) and the bottle’s size (wines in large containers like magnums will age slower and longer than wines in bottles).

Doisy-Daëne is never the sweetest wine in its sector, but it always has an unparalleled aromatic expression and refinement. A pure Barsac, brilliantly orchestrated by Denis Dubourdieu (deceased in 2016).

In the commune of Preignac, Suduiraut offers a wine that reflects its geographical position: halfway between Sauternes and Barsac. The latest vintages are dazzling in terms of contained power and aromatic distinction.

Selection of the best parcels of Château de Carles (10 ha out of the 20 ha of the estate), certainly the finest and most ambitious wine of Fronsac, making since 2000 equal game with the best classified growths of the slopes of Saint-Émilion.

Begun in 2003, the Clos Louie adventure is a textbook case: doll vineyard (2.3 ha) on a beautiful clayey-limestone soil of Castillon, careful cultivation in biodynamics, double manual sorting during the harvest, vinification with little intervention, gentle maturing in half-masses of 500 litres. Coming from very very old vines (150 years old) with a majority of Merlot and Malbec, Clos Louie is a true artist's wine made by a passionate couple.

Since 1985, Pape Clément has magnificently combined the bouquet and natural finesse of the Graves with the power of its terroir (comparable to that of the greatest Pauillac wines). It is undoubtedly one of the super seconds on the left bank.

Sociando-Mallet, which must figure prominently in any wine lover's cellar, is no longer presented, as the quality and especially the regularity of its last thirty vintages are impressive. Without wishing to underestimate Mr. Gautreau's assiduous work since 1969, it must be recognized that the terroir, against the Gironde on a gravelly crest comparable to that of Montrose, is indeed that of a great classified growth.

Saint-Pierre was until now the least known of the 4èmes crus of Saint-Julien, but its obvious progress since 2003 now places it as a great rival of its peers. If you don't know him, don't hesitate to acquire him before his new reputation crosses borders.

Grand-Puy-Lacoste is the finest of Pauillac's 5th classified growths, held with competence and care by Mr. François-Xavier Borie. The latest vintages show even greater aromatic precision and tannin nobility.